Szeged Comic Festival returns Saturday with full-day program

The Szeged Comic Festival returns Saturday to the Somogyi Library with a full day of programs, exhibitions and activities for fans of comics and graphic storytelling. The event, now in its 17th year, is considered the largest comic-focused gathering in the region.

The festival will span five floors of the library, from the basement to the third level, with nine themed areas including the Publishers’ Dungeon, the Artists’ Forest, the Kids’ Labyrinth and the Apprentices’ Tower. Hungarian publishers and creators will be on site throughout the day.

A series of talks — all held in Hungarian — will highlight topics ranging from the evolution of American comics to the challenges of translating graphic narratives. A featured presentation will focus on Kalyber Joe, the character created by Szeged-based artist Roland Pilcz, whose complete, 400-page collected edition is being released for the festival. Additional sessions will examine witches in comics, horror film adaptations, Slavic folk demons, Italian folktales and comics inspired by real or fictional rock-band histories.

The festival, supported in part by Alliance Française Szeged, will also offer children’s activities themed around Asterix and Obelix, while visitors can try Renaissance fencing outside the building with guidance from members of the Ars Ensis Knightly Order.

Three nearby restaurants — Plebs Crust & Craft, GURU – Pizza Pasta Coffee Brunch and Feta Gyros — will provide a 10% discount for festival attendees on Saturday. Coupon codes will be distributed at the entrance.

The festival will take place on Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Somogyi Library.